Geelong best and fairest winner Max Holmes really excited by prospect of playing with Bailey Smith and Clayton Oliver

Max Holmes could have two stars joining him in Geelong’s engine room next year. The Cats best and fairest winner speaks about that possibility and sheds further light on his finals injury blow.

Geelong best and fairest winner Max Holmes is excited by the prospect of playing with trade targets Clayton Oliver and Bailey Smith, saying it would be “amazing” to have them alongside him in the Cats engine room.

Smith requested a trade to Geelong this week and this publication has reported that Oliver is also eager to get to the Cats.

The prolific Demon’s interest has grown since a meeting with Geelong officials and a separate meeting with Cats players at ruckman Rhys Stanley’s farm this week.

Holmes, 22, was Geelong’s major weapon in 2024 and it showed in the Carji Greeves Medal count, which the damaging midfielder-defender won in comprehensive fashion by 44 votes on Thursday night.

Starting the season in defence and finishing the year starring as an on-baller in both of their finals, Holmes is happy to accommodate for the star duo.

It comes as Holmes admitted he “probably would have played” the grand final had Geelong defeated Brisbane despite being subbed out of the game with hamstring and illness concerns.

He feels the interest from Smith and Oliver pales in comparison to their quiet trade period last year, where no new names joined Geelong following their 12th place finish.

Bailey Smith hs requested a trade to Geelong. Picture: Michael Klein

“It’d be amazing, it is really exciting to see that kind of interest in the club. Last year I don’t think we had anyone who was interested in coming down to the club,” Holmes told this publication after his medal win.

“Even if some of them don’t eventuate, I’m really excited at the prospect of playing with them and I think they’d both make this team infinitely better. Along with those who are already here now it is exciting times I guess.

“I don’t particularly mind where I play, I’ve said that to the coaches I don’t care where it is, just as long as it is beneficial for the team.

“If that’s to play halfback or if that’s to play half forward, I don’t really mind, just play it as it goes.”

Holmes said Cats players were invited by captain Patrick Dangerfield to lend a hand at Stanley’s property but very few took up the offer.

“Pat sent a message into our group to ask us to come down and help out at Rhys’ and everyone said no, so I don’t know what happened down there but I was not interested,” Holmes said with a laugh.

Dangerfield said in late 2022 that Holmes had “(Chris) Judd-like traits” and that he “could be the best player in the competition at some stage”.

“It is a massive compliment from Paddy and (Judd) is a great player, so if I can pick up a couple of things from his game that’d be great,” Holmes said.

The Cats skipper came over to congratulate Holmes after his win —and it is clear he hadn’t forgotten his high praise.

Max Holmes took out the Carji Greeves Medal. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Love to say I didn’t pick it, but I did – before everyone else!” Dangerfield chuckled.

While Holmes is honoured to join three-time Cats best and fairest Dangerfield and other Cats greats in winning a Carji Greeves Medal, he is not going to rest on his laurels.

“I think I’ve just always learnt just to keep progressing with my footy. Although I did progress last year I just wasn’t satisfied and wanted to keep improving,” Holmes said.

“I was really happy with how this year went, obviously it didn’t quite end in the best fashion, but really excited about it looking forward.”

Holmes was the best player on the ground before in their devastating preliminary final loss to Brisbane before he suffered a hamstring injury in the third quarter.

Having spent time off the ground in the third term against the Lions, he returned to the field but was then subbed off at the start of the final quarter.

While it seemed initially that Holmes would have missed the 2024 decider, the close loss proved to be another heartbreaking near-miss after infamously sitting out the 2022 premiership with a hamstring blow.

“I probably would have played (in the grand final), a bit unfortunate but it is what it is,” Holmes said.

He said his illness leading into the preliminary contributed to him being subbed out.

“I’d been a bit crook leading up into it. I was cramping in the second quarter because of that and it was a multitude of things going wrong, not just the hammy, and I felt unwell,” Holmes said.

“It is one of those things that you don’t realise how crook you are until you are feeling better.

“I was telling myself I was OK so I’m not sure what I was at. I wasn’t 100 per cent but you never are, so it is no excuse I guess.”

Originally published as Geelong best and fairest winner Max Holmes really excited by prospect of playing with Bailey Smith and Clayton Oliver